Custodial Officer: Key Skills, Qualifications and Career Path
Learn about the key skills, qualifications, and career path for a Custodial Officer
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Practice Now »What is a Custodial Officer?
As a Custodial Officer, you would be responsible for overseeing individuals who have been arrested and are awaiting trial or who have been sentenced to serve time in jail or prison. Your duties would include maintaining security and peace in prisons, ensuring inmates follow the regulations, and potentially assisting in their rehabilitation process.
Skills
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills
- Ability to remain calm and composed in high-pressure situations
- Excellent problem-solving and decision-making abilities
- Physical fitness and stamina
- Knowledge of relevant laws and regulations
- Effective conflict resolution skills
- Ability to work well in a team
- Attention to detail and strong observation skills
- Emotional resilience and ability to handle challenging behavior
- Strong organizational and time management skills
Qualifications & Education
- No formal academic requirements for entry
- Must pass a pre-entry test
- Must pass a full medical examination
- Basic training provided
- 12 month probationary period with on-the-job training
- Background checks required
- Nationality restrictions may apply
- Lower age limit of 18 years
Career Path
Frequently Asked Questions
No, a custody officer is not a police officer. They are police staff with designated powers that are only authorized in the custody environment.
The role of a custody officer in the UK is to work with the police and custody sergeants to handle detainees at the police station. They are responsible for tasks such as booking in detainees, logging their possessions, taking fingerprints and photographs, and ensuring that they are securely held in a cell.
A good custody officer in the UK needs to have good communication skills, be able to keep accurate records, possess common sense, and be resilient. They should also have a strong desire and drive to ensure the safety of the custody suite.
A custody officer in the UK is required to have at least the rank of sergeant, which means they must be a police officer.
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